This simple method for cooking shrimp on the grill always makes the meatiest, tastiest shrimp! Coated in a slightly spicy lemon seasoning and served with garlic herb butter, you’ll fall in love with this seafood favorite all over again.
Shrimp is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be prepared in many ways, but grilling brings out an unbeatable smoky flavor. When grilling shrimp, it’s important to get the timing right to end up with tender, juicy seafood, not rubbery, overcooked shrimp. So how long should you grill shrimp? Read on for a complete guide to achieving grilled shrimp perfection.
Factors That Affect Shrimp Grilling Time
Several factors impact how long shrimp need to stay on the grill:
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Size of the shrimp – Smaller shrimp cook faster, while larger shrimp need more time Jumbo shrimp may need a couple extra minutes per side
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Thickness of the shrimp – Thicker, meatier shrimp will take longer than thinner varieties.
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Direct vs indirect heat – Cooking shrimp directly over the heat source cooks faster than indirect heat.
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Temperature of the grill – Higher heat sears the shrimp quicker than low heat.
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How shrimp are prepared – Skewering helps them cook evenly; loose causes uneven cooking.
Taking these factors into account will help determine the best grilling time
Average Grilling Times for Shrimp
For medium shrimp grilled directly over medium-high heat, average grilling times are:
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2-3 minutes per side for a total of 4-6 minutes
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Up to 4-5 minutes per side for jumbo shrimp
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1-2 minutes per side for smaller shrimp
How to Tell When Shrimp Is Done
It’s important to monitor shrimp closely as it cooks since it goes from perfect to overdone quickly.
Signs shrimp is fully cooked:
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Opaque and pink in color throughout
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Firm, plump flesh
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Internal temperature of 140°F
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Small clear/white juices visible when pierced
Undercooked shrimp will be translucent and mushy. Overcooked shrimp develops a rubbery, tough texture.
Use multiple indicators – appearance, feel, temperature – to determine doneness for best results.
Tips for Grilling Shrimp Perfectly Every Time
Follow these tips for flawless grilled shrimp:
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Clean grill grates and coat with oil to prevent sticking
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Skewer shrimp for easier flipping
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Preheat grill to 350-450°F for quick, even cooking
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Arrange in a single layer to prevent overcrowding
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Flip shrimp halfway through for equal grilling on both sides
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Brush with sauce/marinade in last 2 minutes only to avoid burning
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Check frequently and remove immediately once opaque
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving
Favorite Ways to Flavor Grilled Shrimp
Grilled shrimp gets a lovely smoky flavor from the grill, but you can enhance it with sauces, marinades, and spices:
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Lemon garlic – Fresh lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, herbs
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Cajun spice – Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic, onion, cayenne
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Teriyaki – Soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil
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Jerk – Jerk seasoning, allspice, thyme, habanero peppers
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Curry coconut – Coconut milk, red curry paste, lime zest and juice
Get creative and make your own signature shrimp grilling sauce!
Safety Tips for Grilling Shrimp
Take these precautions when grilling shrimp:
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Thaw frozen shrimp completely before grilling
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Marinate in the refrigerator, not at room temperature
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Use separate plates/utensils for raw and cooked shrimp
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Cook to an internal temperature of 140°F
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
Following proper food safety guidelines prevents the risk of foodborne illness.
Grilled Shrimp Makes an Easy, Healthy Meal
Grilled shrimp requires just a few minutes on the grill, making it a quick and easy dinner option. It’s also low in calories and high in protein, providing nearly 20g in a 4-ounce serving. Pair it with grilled veggies, rice, pasta, or salad for a delicious, healthy meal.
With the right technique, you can achieve tender, juicy, flavorful grilled shrimp every time. Refer to these tips on how long to grill shrimp for perfect results. Enjoy this classic summer favorite all grilling season long.
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How to Grill Shrimp Perfectly Every Time
Grilling shrimp isn’t difficult by any means, but these crowd-favorite shellfish do tend to be a little finicky. You probably already know this if you’ve ever eaten shrimp that was too tough or disappointingly rubbery. No more worries about shrimp that is too raw or too cooked. This guide will help you do it right every time.
Before I put my shrimp on skewers and grill them, I like to season them with fresh lemon zest, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. After that, I’ll brush them with a simple garlic herb butter that your taste buds will worship. Once you know how great this method is, you can use any flavoring method you can think of to make the grilling process work every time.
Here’s to flawless grilled shrimp forevermore!
Let’s discuss what you’ll need to make the most drool-worthy garlic lemon grilled shrimp. The amounts are included in the recipe card toward the end of this post.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
You sure can! Oftentimes, frozen shrimp are actually preferable to fresh ones. This is because they’re frozen as soon as they’re caught, immediately preserving their texture and flavor. Just remember to thaw out the shrimp before you use them.
This is usually done by putting the shrimp in the fridge the night before I want to grill them. If you need to thaw the shrimp faster, you can put them in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are defrosted. Stir the shrimp every so often to break up any that have clumped together.
Want an easy way to grill shrimp indoors? I highly recommend investing in a stovetop grill pan. That way, you can enjoy grilled shrimp rain or shine!
Preheat Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat.
Add the shrimp, olive oil, garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon zest to a medium-sized bowl. Season the shrimp. Toss until all of the shrimp are evenly coated.
Thread Onto Skewers: Thread the shrimp onto your skewers starting from the bottom and going through the top so the shrimp stays on and doesn’t fall off. Here are some of my favorite skewers to use because they are double-pronged and hold everything still instead of spinning around the skewer.. If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for 30 minutes before you do so.
Grill: Put the shrimp skewers that have been prepared on clean grill grates and cook them for two to three minutes on each side. Remove the shrimp from the grill once they turn pink. Do not overcook them.
To make garlic butter, melt the butter and mix it with salt, chopped parsley, and garlic in a small bowl while the shrimp are resting.
Brush Onto Shrimp: Brush the homemade garlic butter onto the grilled shrimp and enjoy!
Super Quick Video Tips: The Best Way to Grill Shrimp
FAQ
How long should shrimp be grilled?
How to know when shrimp is done?
Will raw shrimp stick to the grill?
How long do you cook shrimp on a grill?
Large shrimp take about 4-6 minutes to grill over medium-high heat, or 2-3 minutes per side. Once the shrimp turn from clear to pink, they’re ready to go. They will also curl into a C shape once they’re fully cooked, while overdone shrimp will form a full circle. Make sure you remove your skewers from the heat once you see the Cs.
How do you cook garlic butter shrimp on a grill?
Here’s how to make grilled garlic butter shrimp. Preheat and season. Fire up the grill to 450-500 degrees F. While the grill is heating up, toss the shrimp in a bowl with olive oil and then season with salt and pepper. Melt butter and add shrimp. Place a 12-inch cast iron skillet on the preheated grill.
How long do you marinate shrimp before grilling?
Marinade or Season the Shrimp. For marinade, let sit at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. If seasoning, you can cook the shrimp right away. Grill. Brush the grill or pan with oil, then grill the shrimp on both sides until they’re pink and opaque. Serve immediately and ENJOY!
How do you season grilled shrimp?
Seasoning shrimp can be as simple or complex as you like and there are many delicious grilled shrimp recipes to choose from. If you’re looking for something simple, coat them in olive oil, flavored butter, or barbecue sauce. These can be brushed on while the shrimp are on the grill, but you’ll have to work fast because they cook quickly.